Traceable cables

ABSTRACT

Traceable cables (e.g., networking cables, power cables, etc.). Some embodiments include a traceable power cable with a battery (e.g., that may be rechargeable from current from an external power source to which the power cable is electrically connected). Some embodiments include a traceable networking cable configured to draw power from power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) even if the networking cable is not connected to a separate powered device (PD).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/354,883, filed Apr. 28, 2014, which is anational phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2012/061967 filed Oct. 25, 2012, which claims thebenefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/553,010, filed Oct. 28, 2011. The entire contents of each of theabove-referenced disclosures are specifically incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to power and/or networkingcables, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to powerand/or traceable networking cables.

2. Description of Related Art

An example of a power cable with a light for indicating the presence ofpower is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/863,209, filedJun. 9, 2004, and published as Pub. No. US 2005/0275412. An example of apower cable with a loading indication and warning system is disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/064,578, filed Jul. 29, 2002, andpublished as Pub. No. US 2003/0234729. An example of power a cable witha location-indicating function is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,254.Examples of traceable networking cables are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,221,284, and 6,577,243.

SUMMARY

This disclosure includes embodiments of networking cables and powercables.

Some embodiments of the present power cables comprise: a power cablehaving a first end, a second end, and two or more conductors in aflexible sheath between the first end and the second end; a maleconnector hood on the first end of the power cable; a female connectorhood on the second end of the power cable; an electric power sourceconfigured to be incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods;an electrically activated telltale incorporated into at least one of theconnector hoods; and a manually operated switch incorporated into atleast one of the connector hoods and configured to activate the telltaleby initiating electrical communication between the electric powersource, at least one of the two or more conductors, and the telltale.

In some embodiments of the present power cables, the electric powersource comprises a battery. Some embodiments comprise: a chargingcircuit coupled to the two or more conductors and configured such thatif the power cable is coupled to an external electric power source, thecharging circuit can communicate electric current from the externalelectric power source to the power source. Some embodiments comprise asecond electrically activated telltale incorporated into the other ofthe connector hoods; where the manually operated switch is configured toactivate both telltales by initiating electrical communication betweenthe electric power source, at least one of the conductors, and thetelltale.

Some embodiments of the present power cables further comprise: acontroller coupled to the electric power source, the switch, and thetelltale. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to: activatethe telltale for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the switchbeing operated if the telltale is not active; and inactivate thetelltale responsive to the switch being operated during a predeterminedamount of time in which the telltale is activated. In some embodiments,the controller is configured to: activate the telltale for a firstpredetermined amount of time responsive to the switch being operated ina first manner if the telltale is not active; and activate the telltalefor a second predetermined amount of time responsive to the switch beingoperated in a second manner if the telltale is not active. In someembodiments, the controller is configured to activate the telltale ifthe voltage of the battery falls below a threshold voltage. In someembodiments, the electric power source comprises a battery, and thecontroller is configured such that if the power cable is coupled to anexternal electric power source, the controller can direct electricalcurrent from the external power source to the battery. In someembodiments, the controller is configured to direct electrical currentfrom the external power source to the battery if the voltage of thebattery falls below a threshold voltage. In some embodiments, thecontroller is incorporated into one of the connector hoods. In someembodiments, the electrically activated telltale is configured to emitan audio or visual signal if activated. In some embodiments, theelectrically activated telltale comprises one or more items selectedfrom the group consisting of: a light emitting diode, an incandescentlight bulb, and a liquid crystal visual indicator.

Some embodiments of the present methods (e.g., methods of manufacturinga power cord cable) can comprise: overmolding at least a portion of aconnector hood onto an end of any embodiment of the present power cordcables. Such overmolding may be accomplished using any technique knownin the art. Some embodiments of the present methods (e.g., methods ofcoupling a power cord cable to a power source and/or a powered device)can comprise: coupling a connector hood of any embodiment of the presentpower cables to a power source (e.g., a wall plug) and/or a powereddevice (e.g., a computer, server, printer, etc.).

Some embodiments of the present networking cables comprise: a pluralityof conductors in a flexible sheath having a first end and a second end,the plurality of conductors comprising a plurality of conductor wirepairs; a connector hood on each end of the flexible sheath; an electricpower source configured to be incorporated into at least one of theconnector hoods; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into atleast one of the connector hoods; a manually operated switchincorporated into at least one of the connector hoods and configured toactivate the telltale by initiating electrical communication between theelectric power source and the telltale; and a resistor incorporated intoat least one of the connector hoods, the resistor electrically connectedto at least one of the conductor wire pairs such that if the cable iselectrically connected to power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcingequipment (PSE), the POE PSE will deliver electric power to the cableeven if the cable is not also electrically connected to a separate POEpowered device (PD).

In some embodiments of the present networking cables, the plurality ofconductors further comprises at least one indicator wire, and the switchis configured to activate the telltale by initiating electricalcommunication between the electric power source and the telltale via theat least one indicator wire. Some embodiments comprise a chargingcircuit coupled to the at least one of the conductor wire pairs andconfigured such that if the cable is electrically connected to POE PSE,the charging circuit can communicate electric current from the POE PSEto the electric power source. In some embodiments, the electric powersource comprises a rechargeable battery. Some embodiments comprise: asecond electrically activated telltale incorporated into another of theconnector hoods; where the manually operated switch is configured toactivate both telltales by initiating electrical communication betweenthe electric power source, at least one of the conductors, and thetelltale.

Some embodiments of the present networking cables further comprise: acontroller coupled to the electric power source, the switch, and thetelltale. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to: activatethe telltale for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the switchbeing operated if the telltale is not active; and inactivate thetelltale responsive to the switch being operated during a predeterminedamount of time in which the telltale is activated. In some embodiments,the controller is configured to: activate the telltale for a firstpredetermined amount of time responsive to the switch being operated ina first manner if the telltale is not active; and activate the telltalefor a second predetermined amount of time responsive to the switch beingoperated in a second manner if the telltale is not active. In someembodiments, the controller is configured to activate the telltale ifthe voltage of the battery falls below a threshold voltage. In someembodiments, activating the telltale comprises pulsing power to theelectrically activated telltale. In some embodiments, the resistor isincluded in a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the controller iscoupled. In some embodiments, the electric power source comprises abattery, and the controller is configured such that if the cable iselectrically connected to POE PSE, the controller can direct electricalcurrent from the POE PSE to the battery. In some embodiments, thecontroller is configured to direct electrical current from the POE PSEto the battery if the voltage of the battery falls below a thresholdvoltage. In some embodiments, the controllers is incorporated into oneof the connector hoods. In some embodiments, the electrically activatedtelltale is configured to emit an audio or visual signal if activated.In some embodiments, the electrically activated telltale comprises oneor more items selected from the group consisting of: a light emittingdiode, an incandescent light bulb, and a liquid crystal visualindicator.

Some embodiments of the present networking cables comprise: a separatormechanism incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods toseparate at least one of the plurality of conductors from at least oneof the other plurality of conducts to prevent crosstalk between theseparated conductors.

Some embodiments of the present methods (e.g., methods of manufacturinga networking cable) can comprise: overmolding at least a portion of aconnector hood onto an end of any embodiment of the present networkingcables. Such overmolding may be accomplished using any technique knownin the art. Some embodiments of the present methods (e.g., methods ofusing a networking cable) can comprise: coupling a connector hood of anyembodiment of the present networking cables to a networking connection(e.g., a jack in communication with a POE PSE, etc.) and/or a powereddevice (e.g., a POE-powered telephone, etc.).

Any embodiment of any of the present cables, systems, apparatuses, andmethods can consist of or consist essentially of—rather thancomprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements,and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or“consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-endedlinking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a givenclaim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.

Details associated with the embodiments described above and others arepresented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structureis not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears.Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identicalstructure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate asimilar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as maynon-identical reference numbers. The figures are drawn to scale (unlessotherwise noted), meaning the sizes of the depicted elements areaccurate relative to each other for at least the embodiment depicted inthe figures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a networked computer environment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an end of one embodiment of the presentnetworking cables.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the end of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a control unit of the cable of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the control unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the cable of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the control unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a view of a separator portion of the cable of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the cable of FIG.2.

FIGS. 10A-10C are various views of one embodiment of a male connectorfor embodiments of the present power cables.

FIGS. 11A-11B are perspective and end views, respectively, of oneembodiment of a female connector for embodiments of the present powercables.

FIGS. 12A-12B are perspective and end views, respectively, of anotherembodiment of a female connector for embodiments of the present powercables.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled”may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined asone or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. Theterm “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily whollywhat is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includesparallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Inany disclosed embodiment, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,”and “about” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” what isspecified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system orapparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or moreelements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited topossessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more steps possesses those one ormore steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or moresteps.

Further, a structure (e.g., a component of an apparatus, such as acable) that is configured in a certain way is configured in at leastthat way, but it can also be configured in other ways than thosespecifically described.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, shownand designated by reference numeral 10 is an example of a networkedenvironment that includes servers, computers, hubs, peripheral devices,and a cable panel. In the example, shown computers 32, 34, 38, and 42are each connected by networking cables to a cable panel 28. Thecomputers can be at multiple locations. Also attached to panel 28 bynetworking cables are peripheral devices such as printer 46 and scanner48. Panel 28 is often located at a central room where service personnelcan access it. From panel 28, multiple computers and peripheral devicesare often linked by networked cables to hubs such as 22 and 24, whichmay be connected to servers 12 and 16. Multiple servers and hubs may behoused in a room. Various protocols (e.g., Ethernet) can be used tosupport data transfer between computers and servers. The example shownis relatively a small network, and networks may often be much larger. Inaddition to the devices shown in FIG. 1, networks can include, forexample, other electronic devices such as workstations, switches, tapedrives, storage devices, telephone switches, VOIP devices, routers,and/or any other device that may be connected to a network (e.g., acamera). With large networks, the total number of networking cables maybe very large, and routine maintenance functions (e.g., the addition orchange of computers) can require significant time and manpower to traceconnections throughout the network.

In some embodiments, panel 28 may also represent an external powersource that provides power to the various devices (32 34, 36, 38, 42,46, 48), and at least some of the cables extending between the variousdevices and panel 28 may comprise power cables (e.g., AC power cables).

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment 50 of the present networking cables thatmay be used in the networked environment of FIG. 1. Cable 52, as used innetworking applications, is typically composed of a plurality ofinsulated twisted conductor wire pairs encased in a flexible outersheath (e.g., an outer cover sheath). The number of twisted conductorwire pairs (e.g., four conductor pairs with eight conductor wires, fiveconductor pairs with then conductor wires, etc.) can vary depending onthe application. In the embodiment shown, a connector assembly or hood54 comprises a connector 56 coupled to a boot 58, and the connector hoodis coupled to an end of cable 52. An example of a typical connector 56used for Ethernet networking applications is an RJ-45 or 8P8C connector,an eight-wire or eight-pin connector commonly used in networkingcomputers. Another example of a connector 56 that may be used is anRJ-50 or 10P10C connector, a ten-conductor or ten-pin connector. Boot 58may, for example, be overmolded onto connector 56 and/or cable 52. Theoverall connector (connector plus boot) will be referred to as theconnector hood in this description and in the appended claims.

Some well known standards for networking cables that may be included incable 52 include Categories: 5 (which generally includes four insulatedtwisted copper wires encased in a flexible outer jacket layer), 5A, 5E,6 (e.g., for Gigabit Ethernet and/or other network protocols). Laterstandards (e.g., Cat-6) are often backward compatible with earlierstandards (e.g., CAT 5, CAT 3). Relative to Cat-5, Cat-6 specificationsare generally more stringent for crosstalk and system noise. Cat-6, forexample, provides performance of up to 250 MHz, and may be suitable for10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (GigabitEthernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet). Cat-6 has a relativelylower maximum length when used for 10GBASE-T. Cat-6A cable, or AugmentedCat-6, is characterized for 500 MHz and has further improved aliencrosstalk characteristics, allowing 10GBASE-T to be run for the samemaximum cable length as other protocols. Several other standards are inuse, and may be used in embodiments of the present traceable networkingcables. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., two in a conductor wirepair) additional conductor wires (which may be referred to as tracerwires or indicator wires) can be added to or included in a networkingcable (e.g., a Cat-5 or Cat-6 cable) such that the additional conductorwire(s) are used in the tracing function described herein. For example,the use of a cable 52 with ten wires or conductors with eight-wire RJ-45connectors allows one of the five conductor-wire pairs to be used as acontinuous continuity path between electrically activated telltales(e.g., light) at the end of the cable. Cables, conductor wires,conductor wire pairs, and/or conductors in the present embodiments maybe coaxial, twin-axial, twisted, untwisted, shielded, unshielded, and/orbonded, as is known in the art.

FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged view of connector assembly or hood 54. In theembodiment shown, cable 50 comprises an electrically activated telltale64 (which can be configured to produce a visual and/or an audio signal)incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods (e.g., hood 54, asshown). In the embodiment shown, telltale 64 is incorporated into a rearor proximal end of boot 58 near the cable. As used in this disclosureand the claims, an electrically activated telltale is any electricallytriggered device that emits a visual or audio signal that can bedetected by a human. One example of a suitable telltale is a lightemitting diode (LED), but may alternatively or additionally include oneor more other visual indicators (e.g., an incandescent or conventionallight bulb, a liquid crystal visual indicator, etc.). In the embodimentshown, the cable also includes a button 68 that is configured to bemanually pressed to engage a manual switch (72) incorporated into atleast one of the connector hoods and configured to activate the telltaleby initiating electrical communication between the electric power sourceand the telltale (e.g., via one or more of the conductors, such as, forexample, a conductor wire, a conductor wire pair, an indicator wire,and/or indicator wire pair). For example, the switch can complete anindicator circuit that includes an LED to cause the LED to flashrepeatedly for a predetermined time. In some embodiments, the indicatorcircuit includes the indicator wire or wire pair that runs the completelength of the networking cable. It is important to note that in someembodiments, the present networking cables include the hood of FIG. 2,on a first or “left” end of the networking cable, and a second hood(e.g., substantially similar to hood 54) on the second or “right” end ofthe cable (e.g., such that the two hoods are in electrical communicationconnection via a conductor wire, a conductor wire pair, an indicatorwire, and/or indicator wire pair). For example, in an embodiment with aconnector hood at each end of the cable, where each connector hoodincludes a switch and a telltale, the operation of either switch canactivate both telltales if the telltales are not activated, or theoperation of either switch can deactivate both telltales if thetelltales are activated, as described in more detail below.

Telltale 64 and button 68 are shown in one suitable configurationrelative to hood 54; in other embodiments, telltale 64 and/or button 68can be incorporated into hood at any suitable position in hood 54. Inother embodiments, the present cables can include connector hoods spacedapart from the terminal or end connectors of the cable. For example,some embodiments of the present cables can include a connector hoodspaced inward relative to an end of the cable (e.g., by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,or more inches), and the inwardly-spaced connector hood can include oneor more of the tracing features or elements (e.g., a button, telltale,etc.) described in this disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional sideview of what may be referred to as a control unit of at least someinternal components of the present cables, with the outline of theoverall hood 54 shown for reference, and FIG. 5 depicts a perspectiveview of the control unit of FIG. 4. In the embodiment shown, button 68is coupled (e.g., connected physically) to a switch 72 that, whenmanually engaged, completes an electrical circuit that powers telltale64. In the embodiment shown, the cable comprises a printed circuit board(PCB) 76 to which switch 72 is coupled, and a controller 82 (e.g.,integrated circuit) configured to have at least some of thefunctionality described in this disclosure. In some embodiments, thecable comprises more than one controller, each configured to provide atleast a part of the functionality of the respective embodiment. In theembodiment shown, PCB 76 is coupled (e.g., such that an electricalconnection or circuit can be completed through PCB 76) via a first orpositive connection 86 and a second or negative connection 88. PCB 76can be configured to include (e.g., via one or more appropriateconductive traces) a complete and/or completable (e.g., via switch 72)electrical circuit between telltale 64, switch 72, integrated circuit82, and power source 90. Embodiments with two connector hoods mayinclude a controller and/or battery in each of the two connector hoods(e.g., with one controller a “master” and one controller a “slave”), orcan include a single controller and/or a single battery. For example, insome embodiments, the cable includes a single controller and a singlebattery in one of the two connection hoods, but includes a switch andtelltale in each of the two connection hoods, such that depressing aswitch at either end of the cable activates the telltales at both endsof the cable. In such embodiments, a similar PCB may be used in the hoodwithout a controller or power source to provide the circuit between theswitch and telltale.

In various embodiments of the present cables, the controller can beconfigured to include various functions. In some embodiments, thecontroller is configured to: activate the telltale for a predeterminedamount of time (e.g., equal to, greater than, or between any of: 10, 15,20, or 30 seconds) responsive to the switch being operated if (or when)the telltale is not active; and inactivate (or stop activation of) thetelltale responsive to the switch being operated if the telltale isactivated (e.g., during the predetermined amount of time during whichthe telltale is activated). In some embodiments, the controller isconfigured to: activate the telltale for a first predetermined amount oftime (e.g., equal to, greater than, or between any of: 10, 15, 20, or 30seconds) responsive to the switch being operated in a first manner(e.g., depressed and released once) if the telltale is not active; andactivate the telltale for a second predetermined amount of time (e.g.,equal to, greater than, or between any of: 30, 40, 50, or 60 seconds)responsive to the switch being operated in a second manner (e.g.,depressed and released twice within 2 seconds, depressed and held downfor 2 seconds or more, etc.) if the telltale is not active. In suchembodiments (in which the controller is configured to activate thetelltale for one of two predetermined periods of time depending on themanner in which the switch is operated), the circuit may includemultiple timing resistors (136), as described below. In someembodiments, the controller is configured to activate the telltale(e.g., differently than the way in which the telltale is activatedresponsive to the switch being operated) if the voltage of the batteryfalls below a threshold voltage (e.g., 1.8V for a 3V battery). Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller is configured to turn thetelltale on continuously, or to pulse the telltale intermittently at arate that is slower than the rate at which the telltale is pulsedresponsive to operation of the switch, if the battery voltage fallsbelow the threshold voltage.

In some embodiments, an integrated circuit is used that provides severaloptions for an end user. For example, an integrated circuit can beconfigured to activate the telltales to a) flash for 20 secondsresponsive to a button being pushed once, and then shut offautomatically, b) flash for 40 seconds responsive to a button being helddown for 3 seconds, and then shut off automatically, c) shut offresponsive to a button being pushed once on either end while thetelltales are active, and d) flash indefinitely responsive to a buttonbeing pressed 3 times in a row, and shut off responsive to a buttonbeing pushed once.

FIG. 6 depicts a lower perspective view of boot 58. In the embodimentshown, boot 58 is configured for an embodiment in which power source 90is a battery. For example, in the embodiment shown, boot 58 comprises adoor 92 configured to be moved to an open position to expose a batteryport 94 configured to receive the battery (e.g., into which the batterycan be inserted). A variety of batteries can be used for embodiments ofthe present cables. For example, for the circuit components discussedabove, a CR927 lithium or other 3-volt battery can be used. A number ofsimilar batteries are available from a variety of manufacturers, and anybattery can be used that permits the functionality described in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic of one embodiment 120 of a direct current(DC) circuit for a connection hood of the present cables. An integratedcircuit 124 is shown as an example of a controller 82 (FIG. 4). A lightemitting diode (LED) 128 is shown as an example of a telltale 64. In theembodiment shown, LED 128 is in electrical connection with pin 7 of chip124 and a first or positive connection 132 of battery 90, as well aswith pin 11 of chip 124 via the connection between LED 128 and battery90. Resistor 136 is connected across pins 8 and 9 of chip 124, and isconfigured to determine the frequency and duration of power pulses sentto LED 128. For example with an X1622 IC chip (available from FulikaiElectronic Technologies (China)), a 220-ohm resistor 136 will deliverpulses that cause LED 128 to blink for about 19 seconds. A smallerresistor (resistor with lower resistance) will increase the frequency ofblinking and shorten the total duration of blinking. In embodiments inwhich the controller (e.g., IC chip) is configured to activate thetelltale(s) for one of two or more predetermined times depending on themanner in which a switch is operated, the circuit can include two ormore resistors 136 (e.g., each with a different resistance) to providedifferent durations of activation for the telltale(s). A switch 140 isshown as an example of switch 72 (FIG. 5) is operable to start thepulsing of power to the LED for the prescribed or predetermined amountof time. The ground or negative side 133 of battery 90 is connected to afirst side 142 of switch 140, as well as pins 1 and 14 of integratedcircuit 124. Finally, circuit 120 is connected to an indicator wire pairwith conductors 144 and 148. Indicator wire pair 144 and 148 can connectto a second circuit in the second connector hood, and as discussedabove, the second circuit can be identical to or may differ from circuit120, as long as when a switch (e.g., 140) on either end is engaged, bothtelltales are activated.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment 150 of a separator for reducingcrosstalk between conductor wire pairs. In the embodiment shown,separator 150 is sized to fit completely within connector hood 54.Separator 150 can comprise (e.g., can be molded from) a non-conductivematerial, and can include a plurality of channels 160, 170, 180, and 190each for a different one of four conductive (e.g., twisted) wire pairs(e.g., from cable 52). In the embodiment shown, separator 150 isconfigured to maintain separation between wire pairs through the lengthof connector hood 54 (e.g., between the exposed ends of the wires in theconnector and an end of outer cable insulation that is stripped toconnect the cable to the hood 54). In some embodiments, one of thechannels (e.g., channel 180) may carry the indicator wire or wire pairin addition to the respective conductor wire pair.

In the embodiment shown, separator 150 is configured to allow or permitthe inclusion of a suitable circuit (e.g., 120) within connector hood 54while meeting the requirements for minimal crosstalk required by Cat-6and/or Cat-6A standards. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates an explodedview of one embodiment of the present cables that includes separator150. As described above, separator 150 accepts and separates fourtwisted wire pairs (not shown) from cable 220, as described above (e.g.,the four conductor wire pairs and indicator wire or wire pair canrespectively be disposed or channeled in the four channels of separator150). A printed circuit board (PCB) 230 (which may be similar to PCB76), containing or coupled to the electronics (e.g., as described forcircuit 120) for the tracer functionality can be disposed below and/orcoupled to separator 150 (and connected to the indicator wire or wirepair). A button 240 (e.g., similar to button 68) can be disposed belowPCB 230 such that button 240 can be depressed to operate the switch. Anelectric power source 250 (similar to power source 90, e.g., a battery)can be disposed between separator 150 and a power source cover 260. Inthe embodiment shown, the complete assembly is located inside theconnector hood (connector 270 similar to connector 56, and a bootsimilar to boot 58).

In some embodiments, the power supply can comprise one or morecomponents alternative to or in addition to a battery. For example, thepower source can comprise one or more capacitors. In some embodiments,the present networking cables are configured such that if the cable iselectrically connected to power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcingequipment (PSE), the PSE will deliver electric power to the cable evenif the cable is not also electrically-connected to a separatePOE-powered device (PD). For example, in some embodiments, the cable cancomprise a resistor (which may be referred to as a POE resistor)incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods, the resistorbeing electrically connected to at least one of the conductor wire pairsin the cable (e.g., between connections 144 and 148 in circuit 120) suchthat if the cable is electrically connected to POE PSE, the PSE willdeliver electric power to the cable even if the cable is not alsoelectrically connected to a separate POE PD. Such a resistor can be ofany suitable resistance (e.g., 25 kΩ) as required by one or more POEstandards.

POE delivery generally includes a “handshake” or initiation process withan exchange of signals between the PSE and a PSD in which the PSEverifies that the PD is standard compliant and determines the maximumamount of power to be delivered to the PD. In general, once thehandshake is completed and the PSE begins delivering power to the PD,the PSE will stop delivering power to the PD if the PD stops drawingpower for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 100 seconds). Inembodiments in which the cable is configured to demand POE power even ifnot connected to an external PD, the cable can include any suitableconfiguration capable of performing the initial “handshake” orinitiation process with the PSE. For example, in some embodiments, thecable can be configured to demand an initial burst or relatively higheramount of power to set the maximum power level from the PSE relativelyhigh (e.g., 1 W) and then maintain at least a minimal or relativelylower power demand (e.g., 0.01 W) continuously to ensure that the PSEdoes not stop delivering power to the cable. For example, in embodimentswith a battery, the cable can be configured to (e.g., after thehandshake process) only demand power above the minimal power level fromthe PSE if the battery is below a threshold value and is being charged,but to demand at least the minimal power level from the PSE even whenthe battery is not being charged to ensure the constant availability ofpower from the PSE. For example, one or both connector hoods can includean appropriate POE circuit (such as may be included in POE powereddevices) incorporated into and/or in communication with the circuit thatprovides the tracing functionality described in this disclosure. Inother embodiments, the cable is not configured to maintain a minimalpower demand from the PSE after the handshake is completed, such thatthe cable will fully charge the battery when plugged in, but then allowthe PSE to stop delivering power once the battery is fully charged.

In some embodiments, the cable comprises a charging circuit coupled tothe at least one of the conductor wire pairs (to which the POE resistoris coupled) and configured such that if the cable is electricallyconnected to POE PSE, the charging circuit can communicate electriccurrent from the PSE to the power source (e.g., a rechargeable battery,a capacitor, etc.). In some embodiments, the POE resistor is included ina PCB to which the controller is coupled. In some embodiments, thecontroller is configured such that if the cable is electricallyconnected to POE PSE, the controller can direct electrical current fromthe PSE (or, more specifically, the POE PSE) to the battery (e.g., ifthe battery falls below a threshold voltage, such as, for example, 60%of the battery's rated voltage). In some embodiments, the controller isconfigured to only direct electrical current from the POE PSE if thebattery is below the threshold voltage. In such embodiments, the circuit(e.g., similar to circuit 120) can include a suitable chargingsubcircuit, as is known in the art.

In some embodiments, a Radio Frequency Identification circuit, oftencalled an RFID tag, replaces or supplements integrated circuit 82. Theuse of an RFID tag can, for example, store information about a device towhich one or both ends of the cable is connected, such as, for example,one or more of: the Media Access Control address (MAC address), the jacknumber, port address, IP address, workstation identifier, serveridentifier, and/or the other information. The user can then use an RFIDreader to scan an end of the networking cable to obtain informationabout the location at which the opposite end of the cable is coupledwithout having to physically search for the other end of the cable.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-11B, shown there is an embodiment 300 of thepresent power cables. FIGS. 10A-10C depict various views of oneembodiment 302 of a male connector hood cable 300; FIGS. 11A-11B depictperspective and end views, respectively, of one embodiment 402 of afemale connector hood. In the embodiment shown, power cable 300 isconfigured to carry alternating current (AC) power (e.g., at 110V) froman external power source (e.g., a wall plug or outlet) to a powereddevice (e.g., a computer, a server, etc.). In the embodiment shown, thecable includes a male connector hood 302 at a first end that isconfigured to be connected to a standard grounded wall outlet (the plugincludes two blades and a ground pin). Other embodiments may exclude theground pin (e.g., have only two blades) such that the cable will notprovide a grounded connection to the wall outlet. In the embodimentshown, cable 300 includes a female connector hood 402 at a second endthat is configured (e.g., is configured to receive three blades, withthe center blade vertically offset form the two outer blades as shown inFIG. 11B) to be connected to any of various devices (e.g., computer,server, printer, etc.). In the embodiment shown, cable 300 includes apower cable 352 with two or more conductors (e.g., three conductors,with one for ground) in a flexible outer sheath.

In the embodiment shown, male connector hood 302 includes anelectrically activated telltale 364 (similar to telltale 64) and abutton 468 (e.g., similar to button 68), both of which can function asdescribed above for various embodiments. While not shown in FIGS.10A-11B, the internal components (e.g., electric power source, manuallyoperated switch, controller, PCB board, etc.) and functionality of cable300 are similar to the internal components and functionality of thenetworking cables described above, with the primary exception that POEis not implemented over power cable 300 and, thus, the POE-specificfunctionality described above need not be included in embodiments of thepresent power cables. For example, power cable 352 can include one ormore tracer or indicator conductors (e.g., a pair of indicator wires)running the length the cable (e.g., in addition to the power conductorsin the cable). As another example, embodiments of power cable 300 caninclude a charging circuit (e.g., as described above) coupled to two ormore of the power conductors in the power cable such that if the powercable is coupled to an external electric power source (e.g., a wallplug, generator, etc.), the charging circuit can communicate electriccurrent from the external electric power source to the power source(e.g., a controller in the power cable can be configured to directelectrical current from the external power source (e.g., via an AC-DCconverter in or in communication with the circuit that provides thetracing function) to the battery if the voltage of the battery fallsbelow a threshold voltage). As described above for boot 58, connectorhoods 302 and 402 may be overmolded onto cable 352 in one or more pieces(e.g., a single piece or a boot and a connector).

FIGS. 12A-12B depict perspective and end views, respectively, of anotherembodiment 502 of a female connector hood for embodiments of the presentpower cables. In the depicted alternate embodiment 300 a of cable 352,connector hood 502 can be coupled to the second end of power cable 352(e.g., in place of connector hood 402). As shown, female connector hood502 is configured to receive a standard male connector. In theembodiment shown, female connector hood 502 is similar to femaleconnector hood 402, with the primary exception being the physicalconfiguration. For example, female connector hood 502 includes anelectronically activated telltale 564 (similar to telltales 64, 364,464) and a button 568 (similar to buttons 68, 368, 468), and any of thecomponents and/or functions described above.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certainembodiments have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of thisinvention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the presentdevices are not intended to be limited to the particular formsdisclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternativesfalling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than theone shown may include some or all of the features of the depictedembodiment. For example, components may be combined as a unitarystructure (e.g., connector 56 and boot 58 may be formed as a unitarypiece). Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examplesdescribed above may be combined with aspects of any of the otherexamples described to form further examples having comparable ordifferent properties and addressing the same or different problems.Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantagesdescribed above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to severalembodiments.

The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted toinclude, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such alimitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s)“means for” or “step for,” respectively.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A power cable comprising: a cable having afirst end, a second end, two or more power conductors in a flexiblesheath between the first end and the second end, and one or moreindicator wires in the flexible sheath between the first end and thesecond end; a male connector hood on the first end of the cable; two ormore blades or pins extending from a mating end of the male connectorhood, the two or more blades or pins each connected to one of the two ormore power conductors of the cable; a female connector hood on thesecond end of the cable, the female connector hood including a matingend defining two or more recesses each configured to receive a singleblade or pin in electrical communication with a single one of the two ormore power conductors of the cable; an electric power sourceincorporated into at least one of the male or female connector hoods,the electric power source comprising a capacitor; an electricallyactivated telltale incorporated into at least one of the male or femaleconnector hoods; and a manually operated switch incorporated into atleast one of the male or female connector hoods and configured toinitiate electrical communication between the electric power source, theone or more indicator wires, and the electrically activated telltale. 2.The power cable of claim 1, further comprising a charging circuitcoupled to the two or more conductors and configured such that if thepower cable is coupled to an external electric power source, thecharging circuit can communicate electric current from the externalelectric power source to the power source.
 3. The power cable of claim1, further comprising: a second electrically activated telltaleincorporated into the other of the male or female connector hoods; wherethe manually operated switch is configured to activate both electricallyactivated telltales by initiating electrical communication between theelectric power source, the one or more indicator wires, and theelectrically activated telltale.
 4. The power cable of claim 1, furthercomprising: a controller coupled to the electric power source, themanually operated switch, and the electrically activated telltale. 5.The power cable of claim 4, where the controller is configured to:activate the electrically activated telltale for a predetermined amountof time responsive to the manually operated switch being operated if theelectrically activated telltale is not active; and inactivate theelectrically activated telltale responsive to the manually operatedswitch being operated during a predetermined amount of time in which theelectrically activated telltale is activated.
 6. The power cable ofclaim 4, where the controller is configured to: activate theelectrically activated telltale for a first predetermined amount of timeresponsive to the manually operated switch being operated in a firstmanner if the electrically activated telltale is not active; andactivate the electrically activated telltale for a second predeterminedamount of time responsive to the manually operated switch being operatedin a second manner if the electrically activated telltale is not active.7. The power cable of claim 4, where the electrically activated telltaleis in a deactivated state, and the controller is configured to activatethe electrically activated telltale if the charge of the capacitor fallsbelow a threshold voltage.
 8. The power cable of claim 4, where thecontroller is configured such that if the power cable is coupled to anexternal electric power source, the controller can direct electricalcurrent from the external power source to the capacitor.
 9. The powercable of claim 8, where the controller is configured to directelectrical current from the external power source to the capacitor ifthe charge of the capacitor falls below a threshold voltage.
 10. Anetworking cable comprising: a plurality of conductors in a flexiblesheath having a first end and a second end, the plurality of conductorscomprising a plurality of conductor wire pairs; a first connector hoodon the first end of the flexible sheath; a second connector hood on thesecond end of the flexible sheath; an electric power source incorporatedinto at least one of the first or second connector hoods, the electricpower source comprising a capacitor; an electrically activated telltaleincorporated into at least one of the first or second connector hoods; amanually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the first orsecond connector hoods and configured to initiate electricalcommunication between the electric power source and the electricallyactivated telltale; and a resistor incorporated into at least one of thefirst or second connector hoods, the resistor electrically connected toat least one of the plurality of conductor wire pairs such that if thenetworking cable is electrically connected to power-over-Ethernet (POE)power sourcing equipment (PSE), the POE PSE will continuously deliverelectric power to the networking cable if the networking cable is notalso electrically connected to a separate POE powered device (PD). 11.The networking cable of claim 10, where the plurality of conductorsfurther comprises at least one indicator wire, and the manually operatedswitch is configured to initiate electrical communication between theelectric power source and the electrically activated telltale via the atleast one indicator wire.
 12. The networking cable of claim 10, furthercomprising a charging circuit coupled to the at least one of theplurality of conductor wire pairs and configured such that if theplurality of conductors is electrically connected to POE PSE, thecharging circuit can communicate electric current from the POE PSE tothe capacitor.
 13. The networking cable of claim 10, further comprising:a second electrically activated telltale incorporated into another ofthe first or second connector hoods; where the manually operated switchis configured to initiate activation of both electrically activatedtelltales via electrical communication between at least the electricpower source and at least one of the conductors.
 14. The networkingcable of claim 10, further comprising: a controller coupled to theelectric power source, the manually operated switch, and theelectrically activated telltale.
 15. The networking cable of claim 10,further comprising a controller configured to: activate the electricallyactivated telltale for a predetermined amount of time responsive to themanually operated switch being operated if the electrically activatedtelltale is not active; and inactivate the electrically activatedtelltale responsive to the manually operated switch being operatedduring a predetermined amount of time in which the electricallyactivated telltale is activated.
 16. The networking cable of claim 10,where the electrically activated telltale is in a deactivated state, andfurther comprising a controller configured to cause the electricallyactivated telltale to flash for a first predetermined amount of timeresponsive to detection of activation of the manually operated switchfor at least a second predetermined amount of time when the electricallyactivated telltale is in the deactivated state.
 17. The networking cableof claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to, responsiveto activation of the manually operated switch, electrically coupleactivate the electrically activated telltale, via the capacitor,independent of the plurality of conductors being coupled to POE PSE, aPOE PD, or both the POE PSE and the POE PD.
 18. The networking cable ofclaim 10, further comprising a controller configured to: detect anactivation characteristic of the manually operated switch, theactivation characteristic comprising a switch activation operation, aduration of a switch activation operation, a sequence of consecutiveswitch activation operations, or a combination thereof; identify a stateof the electrically activated telltale; and select a telltale operationbased on the activation characteristic and the state.
 19. The networkingcable of claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to: causethe electrically activated telltale to flash responsive to detection ofa number of consecutive activations of the manually operated switch whenthe electrically activated telltale is in a deactivated state; and causethe electrically activated telltale to transition to the deactivatedstate responsive to detection of activation of the manually operatedswitch when the electrically activated telltale is in an active state.